Condenser cleaning machine



Aug. 18, 1936. T. P. MORRISON I 2,051,569,

CONDENSER CLEANING MACHINE Filed D80. 8, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.

ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1936. T. P. MORRISON CONDENSER CLEANING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Filed Dec. 8, 1954 I) I I l l Inl-Nlllllln AugQlS, 1936. I p. MORRISON 2,051,569

CONDENSER CLEANING MACHINE Filed Dec. 8, 1934 4. SheetSSh eet 3 INVENTO ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1936. T. P. MORRISON 2,051,569

CONDENSER CLEANING MACHINE Filed Dec. 8, 1934 4 Sheets- Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 18, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE;

2,051,569 CONDENSER CLEANING MACHINE Thomas P. Morrison, Blackwell, Okla.

Application December 8, 1934, Serial No. 756,616

. 4 Claims.

My invention relates to apparatus for cleaning condensers.

In the art of reducing metal and ores to a molten mass a receptacle is used which is commonly known as a condenser. The continuous use of the condenser for melting the metal, ore, and the like therein, causes more or less of the molten metal while cooling to adhere to the inside of the condenser andralso to the exterior thereof near its lip or outer rim and to become permanently encrusted thereon. This hardening continues until it makes the condenser useless, and it then must be discarded and replaced by a new one, which on account of its size and the quality of material required makes its loss very expensive. My device provides a way of cleaning such condensers both interiorly and exteriorly, so that their use may be continued and the expense of their being discarded avoided.

The prime object of the invention is to provide a machine whereby a condenser may be thoroughly cleaned and whereby the condenser will be handled by thedevice automatically.

Another prime object of the invention is the provision of a cleaning element acting upon the rotary principle, and which is so designed that its wearable parts may be easily and quickly replaced when worn.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a device of this class which is new, novel, practical and of utility; which will perform its work with less required time and less labor expense than any device heretofore perfected for this purpose; which will require a minimum of expense in power and worn parts; which will be durable; which will be cheap to manufacture; which will be simple in installation and automatic in operation; and, which will be efficient in accomplishing all the purposes for which it is intended.

With these and other objects in view as will more fully appear hereinbelow, my invention consists in the construction, novel features, and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described, pointed out in the claims hereto appended, and illustrated in the accompanying four-sheet drawing, of which,

Figure l is a top View of the device;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view partially in section and showing part of the frame removed;

Figure 3 is a bottom view;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the condenser engaging or cleaning element;

Figure 5 is an end view of the same, taken from the smaller end; and,

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Like characters of reference designate like parts in all the figures.

It is understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size, shape, weight and other details of construction, within the scope of my invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or broad principle of my inven-. tion and without sacrificing any of the advantages 10 thereof; and itis also understood that the drawings are to be interpreted as being illustrative and not restrictive. I

The inventive idea involved is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions one of which, for the purpose of illustrating the invention, is shown in the accompanying drawings whereinz- The reference numeral I indicates as a whole a substantially rectangular frame or base of a y 201 suitable design for carrying the device but which in the drawings is illustrated as including horizontal side members 2 and 3 rigidly connected by end members 4 and 5 and which is provided intermediate its ends with two parallel cross-members 6 and I which are raised considerably above the side members 2 and 3 and which are supported in any desired manner such as by spaced side beams 8 and 9. The frame is also provided at one end portion with two longitudinally extending 39' rails I0 and I I the office of whichwill be more fully described hereinbelow. Mounted transversely of the frame adjacent one end'and upon the upper surfaces of the side beams 8 and 9' is a drive shaft I2 which is journaled for rota tion in bearings I3 and to which is keyed intermediate its ends a beveled pinion It. Both ends of the shaft I2 extend through and pastthe bearings I3 and one end is provided with a comparatively large sprocket wheel or gear I5 while the 40 other end is provided with a smaller or reducing gear I6. The gear I5 is adapted to be driven to rotation by a driving gear I! which may receive its power in any desired manner. The gear I 5, of course, may be supplanted by a pulley, not shown, and driven by a belt if desired.

At a point slightly above the upper surfaceof the side members 2 and '3 and extending through the side beams 8 and 9 is a second shaft I8 pro-v vided intermediate its ends with a, usual clutch mechanism 20 which may be engaged and disengaged by a lever 2| pivoted upon apin 22 supported in any desired manner such as a bracket; 23 carried by the frame. The end of theshaft I8 lying nearest the end of the "shaft I2 which carries the small pinion [6 extends through the side beam 9 and is equipped with a large gear 24 which is at all times in mesh with the gear !6 and which is driven thereby. The shaft I8 is equipped with a small drum 25 the office of which will be more fully described hereinbelow.

Journaled for rotation in alined bearings 26 and 21 which are respectively carried by the cross-members 6 and 1 intermediate their ends and which are positioned substantially in the transverse center of the frame is a shaft 28 one free end of which is equipped with a beveled pinion 29 which is at all times in mesh with the previously described beveled pinion I4 carried by the shaft l2.

Rollably mounted upon the rails'l9 and H is a car or wheeled vehicle 39 having arcuate cradles 3i and 32 for removably supporting a condenser 33. The cradles may be of any desired configuration and spaced in any desired manner to support condensers of various sizes and configurations. A suitable clamping element 34 is provided for fitting in the lip of the condenser and holding it rigidly in place. The vehicle 35 is free to move longitudinally of the frame 5 toward and away from the previously described mechanism and a spring 35 is attached to the frame and the vehicle for the purpose of normally holding the vehicle at the end of its throw lying most remote from the driving mechanism and also for the purpose of returning the vehicle to such end from any other position in its permitted travel.

A chain 36 is attached by any suitable means such as a tongue 31 to the forward end of the vehicle and the other end of the chain is in turn carried or otherwise attached rigidly to the drum 25. Therefore when the clutch is in engagement the drum 25 will be driven to wind thereupon the chain 36 which will in turn draw the vehicle 39 toward the forward end of the frame, or the end which carries the driving mechanism. When the clutch is disengaged the drum is free to rotate independently and the spring 35 is therefore permitted to return the vehicle to the rear end of its throw.

As a means for automatically operating the clutch to an engaged and disengaged position and consequently for automatically controlling movement of the vehicle, I provide the following described structure.

Made integral with the lever 2i and extending at an abrupt angle with relation to the axis thereof is an arm 38 to the free end of which is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 39 the forward end of a link 49 which extends longitudinally of the frame to a point slightly past the rearmost end of the permitted travel of the vehicle 39. The link 49 is held against lateral movement by a pair of pins 4| carried by the rear end of the frame I and the rear end of the link 49 is equipped with an upstanding pin 42 adapted to be engaged by the rear end of the vehicle'39 and moved longitudinally toward the rear of the frame by the vehicle as it reaches the rearmost end of its throw. Consequently when the pin 42 is engaged the link 49 acts to actuate the arm 38 and lever 2| and to engage the clutch 25. A similar pin 43 is provided in the upper surface of the link 49 adjacent the foremost end of the permitted travel of the vehicle and when engaged by the vehicle is adapted to actuate the clutch to a disengaged position.

In Figures 4, 5 and 6 is illustrated the element which engages the interior of the condenser 33 and acts as a means for removing or dislodging from its walls any residue which has adhered thereto. This element is carried by the rear end of the previously described shaft 28 and consists substantially of the following described struc ture.

The extreme rear or free end of the shaft 28 is provided with threads 44 which engage a coupling member 45 which in turn connects threadedly a reduced rod 46 to the end of which is threaded a disc-like head 41 provided with a flange rim 4B. The rim 48 is transversely perforated a plurality of times for the purpose of receiving a bolt 49 in each perforation. At a desired distance forwardly of the free end of the shaft 28 the shaft is tapped laterally in a plurality of places for the purpose of receiving the threaded end of a stud bolt 59. Lock nuts 5i are provided upon each stud bolt 59 for the purpose of preventing its inadvertent removal from the shaft 28. As illustrated in the drawings there are four of the bolts 49 and four of the stud bolts 59 and these bolts are respectively spaced radially of the shaft 28 and rod 46 identically. Of course, any desired plurality of the bolts could be provided.

Extending between each bolt 49 and its alined bolt 59 is a strap-like metal element 52 provided with perforations at each end through which the bolts may pass. The perforation 53 through which the bolt 59 passes is in fact an elongated slot somewhat greater in length than the diameter of the bolt 59. A spring 54 is provided around each of the bolts 59 between the lock nut 5| and the element 52 and acts as a means for normally holding the element 52 against the head 55 of the bolt. However, the spring may be compressed by pressure being exerted upon the element 52 tending to move it toward the shaft 28. The nut or nuts 56 upon the bolts 49 are loosely placed thereon and ample play is thereby provided to permit the opposite end of the element 52 to be moved toward the shaft 28. The interior surface of each of the elements 52 may be provided with a longitudinally extending reinforcing element 51 if desired.

The exterior surface of each of the elements 52 is provided with a plurality of spaced outstanding scraping blades 58 which are rigidly attached thereto and which are disposed at an angle with relation to the axis of the element. The blades 58 are so spaced with relation to each other that they over-lap slightly.

As illustrated in the drawings each of the elements 52 is provided with a scraping blade 59 adjacent the end lying nearest the bolt 59 which extends longitudinally of the element. The adjacent end of the adjacent blade 58 preferably extends slightly past the rearmost edge of the blade 59. The blades 59, if desired, may be deleted and the row of blades 58 may be extended further toward the bolts 59 than as illustrated in the drawings. Elements 52 and blades 58 and 59 are adapted to contact the condenser 33 with a slicing motion and to clean the accumulated crustations on the inside portion thereof; and the hood 69 and scraping elements or blades 64 and 65 are adapted to contact the exterior of the open end of the condenser 33 for cleaning it with a similar motion.

There is provided a hood 69 (Fig. 2) for surrounding the, engaging element adapted to be inserted within the condenser 33 which acts as a means for preventing the scattering of debris and portions cleared away'from the condenser either on the inside or outside thereof- It also acts to engage and clean the exterior portion of the condenser 33. Said hood 60 is formed with a base 51 and an upstanding side wall 62. Said hood 60 is adapted to be fastened to shaft 28 by. a pin 63 or other suitable holding means. The interior of said hood is also provided with scraping elements or blades 54 and 65 for assisting in cleaning the condenser.

Operation It is thought that in the foregoing description operation of the driving mechanism, the clutch mechanism, and the vehicle has been sufficiently described to preclude the necessity of further description herein." It will be understood, of course, that the gears l4 and 29 are at all times in mesh during the operation of the device, the shaft 28 and consequently the condenser engaging element will be rotating.

After the vehicle 3!], carrying the condenser, moves to the forward end of its throw, the scraping element enters the condenser and the blades 58 and 59 contact its inner surface. Rotation of the shaft 28 will tend to hold, through centrifugal force, the free ends of the elements 52 at the outer ends of their throws. However, should knobs or nuts be encountered on the inner surface of the condenser the free ends of the elements 52 may be forced toward the shaft 28 against the action of the springs 54 in order to pass over such knobs. These knobs, of course, will eventually be worn away because each time one of the blades strikes them a portion of them will be sheared off.

When the vehicle has reached the forward end of its permitted travel it will again return tothe rear end and during its travel toward and from the rear end of the frame the inside of the condenser may be inspected to see if it has been thoroughly cleaned. If it is found that any extraneous matter is adhering to either the inner or outer surface of the condenser it may be left in its cradles and may be permitted to again travel forward to be contacted by the scraping blades. It will be apparent that when the device is in operation ample time at the rear end of the permitted travel of the vehicle 30 is allowed for changing the cleaned condenser for one which has not been cleaned.

It is contemplated if desired to stagger the blades 58 upon one of the elements 52 with relation to the position of the blades 58 carried by another of the elements 52, instead of having the adjacent blades on each of the elements 52 over-lap each other.

Although not illustrated or described herein it will be obvious that a plurality of the cleaning elements and their driving structure, the vehicles and their driving structure, and a plurality of clutch mechanisms could be provided upon a single frame and could be driven by a single driving gear I1. I contemplate the provision of such structure.

Obviously, an element for contacting and cleaning the interior of the condenser could be constructed rigidly by eliminating the springs 54 and rigidly disposing the elements 52 with relation to the shaft 28, and would function. Of course, the life of the blades 58 and 59 would be lessened in such structure but I reserve the right to so construct my cleaning elements if desired.

It is apparent that other structure than the clutch driven drum 25, chain 36, and the accompanying control mechanism than those shown could be providedfor reciprocating the vehicle 30, for instance theveh-icle could be connected to a steam piston, or other mechanical structure could be provided for obtaining such reciprocation, and I therefore contemplate the use of such structures. 1

Obviously, the invention is susceptible of embodiment in forms other than that which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and describedherein, and applicable for uses and pur-- poses other than asdetailed, and I therefore con- 'sider as my own all such modifications and adaptations and other uses of the form of the device herein described as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.

Having thus describedmy invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device for cleaning condensers used in the smelting of ore, the combination with a rotatable shaft having a free end, radially spaced longitudinally extending elements spacedly mounted around a free end of the shaft, one end of each of said elements pivotally mounted so that their other ends may be moved toward and away from the shaft, and with resilient means for holding the last mentioned ends away from the shaft, of outwardly projecting scraper-blades carried by the elements and extending transversely thereacross at an angle, said blades so spaced upon the elements that one complete rotation of the shaft will cause the entire inner surface of the wall of the retort to be contacted thereby, an annular walled hood, inwardly projecting blades carried on the interior surface of the hood, said hood in turn carried by the shaft, opening toward its free end and encircling the inner end of said longitudinally extending elements, said last mentioned blades adapted to cooperate with the first mentioned blades for cleaning both the inner and outer surface of a condenser.

2. In a device for cleaning condensers used in the smelting of ore, the combination with a rotatable shaft having a free end, radially spaced longitudinally extending elements spacedly mounted around the free end of the shaft, one end of each of said elements pivotally mounted so that their other ends may be moved toward and away from the shaft, and with resilient means for holding the last mentioned ends away from the shaft, of outwardly projecting scraperblades carried by the elements and extending transversely thereacross at an angle and adapted to contact the inner surface of a condenser, an annular walled hood carried by the shaft adjacent the inner ends of said longitudinally extending elements and having its open end extending toward the free end of said shaft outside said longitudinally extending elements, and adapted to be passed over the exterior of the open end of the condenser, and inwardly projecting scraper-blades carried by the inner surface of the hood for contacting the outer surface of a condenser.

3. In a device for cleaning condensers used in the smelting of ore, the combination with a rotatable shaft having a free end, radially spaced longitudinally extending elements spacedly mounted around the free end of the shaft, one end of each of said elements pivotally mounted so that their other ends may be moved toward and away from the shaft, and with resilient means for holding the last mentioned ends away from the shaft, of outwardly projecting scraperblades carried by the elements and extending transversely thereacross at an angle for contacting and cleaning the inner surface of a condenser, said blades so spaced upon the elements that one complete rotation of the shaft will cause the entire inner surface of the wall of the condenser to be contacted thereby, and an annular walled hood opening toward the free end of and carried by the shaft, its wall spaced from and en closing the inner ends of said elements, its open end adapted to be passed over the exterior of the open end of a condenser, and inwardly projecting scraper-blades carried by the inner surface of the hood for contacting and cleaning the outer surface of a condenser.

4. A condenser cleaning device comprising: a driven shaft having a free end; a plurality of longitudinally extending elements radially spaced from and carried by said shaft; a plurality of spaced scraper-blades carried on the outer surface of each of said elements for contacting and cleaning the inner surface of a condenser as the shaft rotates; a cup shaped hood having its annular wall radially spaced from said elements, overlapping their inner ends, opening toward the free end of said shaft, and carried by and rotatable with said shaft; and a plurality of spaced scraper-blades carried on the interior surface of said hood for contacting and cleaning the outer surface of a condenser as the shaft rotates.

THOMAS P. MORRISON. 

